Apparatus for and method of recording information, apparatus for and method of reproducing information, recording medium, and information recording medium

ABSTRACT

Provided is an information recording apparatus which, in a state where the content of moving picture image information, etc. can be prevented from being inadvertently recognized by the user due to inadvertent presentation to the user of a relevant representative picture image, enables recording the respective information into a recording medium. A reproduction list PL that is to be reproduced is not only recorded into an optical disc  1  but is there also recorded in it a reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF indicating at least whether limiting the display of a representative picture image that represents the content of the reproduction list PL.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method ofrecording information, an apparatus for and a method of reproducinginformation, a recording medium, and an information recording mediumand, more particularly, to an apparatus for and a method of recordinginformation which are intended, in order that information recorded in arecording medium may be reproduction-controlled, to record thisinformation, an apparatus for and a method of reproducing informationwhich are intended to reproduce the information that has been recordedwhile performing reproduction control with respect to it, and arecording medium having recorded therein the information recordingprogram, or information reproducing program, or information forperforming the reproduction control.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, information recording/reproducing apparatuses whichenable moving picture image information to be recorded into a largecapacity of recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc),etc. and at the same time enable such moving picture image informationto be reproduced have been being generalized.

And, in each of those information recording/reproducing apparatuses, itis constructed in the way in which, as described, for example, inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-35375, for making easythe search, etc. of the respective moving picture image information thathas been recorded, a representative picture image (the “thumb-nailpicture image”) symbolically representing the content of the respectivemoving picture image information is recorded in the recording mediumseparately from that moving picture image information; and, whenreproducing the respective moving picture image information, thecorresponding representative picture image is displayed in advance ofthe time when performing that reproduction to thereby enable a searchingof the moving picture image information, etc. to be reproduced.

On the other hand, in the above-described informationrecording/reproducing apparatus, in a case where reproducing a recordingmedium having recorded therein specified moving picture imageinformation, etc. (hereinafter referred to, simply, as “the specifiedmoving picture image information, etc.”) the presentation of which to aperson whose age is below 18 for example is prohibited, in many cases afunction to limit the execution of the reproduction processing of thespecified moving picture image information, etc. is added to theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus as the function of thisapparatus itself.

However, in the construction of the above-described conventionalinformation recording/reproducing apparatus, although, indeed, executingthe reproduction processing of the specified moving picture imageinformation, etc. itself can be limited, up to the reproduction of theabove-described representative picture image corresponding to thatspecified moving picture image information, etc. is not limited. As aresult, there was the problem that it is impossible to hide the contentof the specified moving picture image information.

Further, regarding the moving picture image information, etc. containingtherein very personal information, as well, similarly, althoughexecuting the reproduction processing of that information, etc. itselfcan be limited, there was the problem that it is impossible to limit upto the reproduction of the representative picture image corresponding tothe content of that information, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thereupon, the present invention has been made in view of theabove-described points in problem and has an object to provide anapparatus for and a method of recording information which, in a statewhere, as a result of the fact that a representative picture image isinadvertently presented to the user, the content of the moving pictureimage information, etc. can be prevented from being inadvertentlyrecognized by the user, can record the respective information into arelevant recording medium, an apparatus for and a method of reproducinginformation which can reproduce that respective information that hasbeen recorded while performing reproduction limitation with respectthereto, and a recording medium having recorded therein the informationrecording program, information reproducing program, or information foruse for the performance of the control of that reproduction.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording apparatus. The information recording apparatus isprovided with: a reproduction information recording device that recordsreproduction information into a recording medium; and a controlinformation recording device that records into the recording medium apresentation control information that indicates whether the presentationof a content information indicating the content of the reproductioninformation is limited.

According to the information recording apparatus, since, by limiting thepresentation of the content information according to the presentationcontrol information that has been recorded, it is possible to controlthe presentation of the content information according to the content ofthe reproduction information, it is possible to prevent the content ofthe reproduction information from being inadvertently recognized by theuser due to the inadvertent presentation of the content information withrespect to the user.

In one aspect of the information recording apparatus, the contentinformation is an information which is presented in advance of startingthe reproduction processing of the reproduction information.

According to this aspect, since the content information is presented inadvance of the time when starting the reproduction processing of thereproduction information, and since, therefore, the presentation of thecontent information, according to the presentation control informationthat has been recorded, is limited, it is possible to control thepresentation of the content information in advance of the reproductionprocessing of the reproduction information.

In another aspect of the information recording apparatus, thepresentation control information is an information which indicatesfurther whether the reproduction of the reproduction information islimited.

According to this aspect, since the presentation control information hastwo ways of meaning one of which concerns whether limiting thepresentation of the content information and the other of which concernswhether limiting the reproduction processing itself of the reproductioninformation, and since, therefore, the reproduction processing of thereproduction information itself as well as the presentation of thecontent information is limited according to the presentation controlinformation, it is possible to prevent the content of the reproductioninformation from being inadvertently recognized by the user.

In further aspect of the information recording apparatus, the contentinformation includes at least one of a representative picture imageinformation that corresponds to a representative picture image thatrepresents an image contained in the reproduction information, a titleinformation that corresponds to a title representing the reproductioninformation, a gist information indicating the gist of the reproductioninformation, and a time/date information indicating a time/dateregarding the reproduction information.

According to this aspect, since the content information contains thereinat least one of the representative picture image, title information,gist information, and time/date information, it is possible to preventthat representative picture image, etc. from being inadvertentlypresented with respect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording mediumcomprising: a reproduction information recording region in which areproduction information is recorded; and a presentation controlinformation recording region in which a presentation controlinformation, which indicates whether the presentation of contentinformation indicating the content of the reproduction information islimited, is recorded. The information reproducing apparatus is providedwith: a detection device that detects the presentation controlinformation from the recording medium; and a limitation device thatlimits the presentation of the content information based on the detectedpresentation control information.

According to the information reproducing apparatus, since detecting thepresentation control information that has been recorded and limiting,according to the limitation content indicated by that presentationcontrol information, either the reproduction processing or thepresentation of the content information, it is possible to control thepresentation of the content information according to the content of thereproduction information and it is possible to prevent the content ofthe reproduction information from being inadvertently recognized by theuser due to the inadvertent presentation of the content information withrespect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording method. The information recording method isprovided with: a reproduction information recording process of recordingreproduction information into a recording medium; and a controlinformation recording process of recording into the recording medium apresentation control information that indicates whether the presentationof content information indicating the content of the reproductioninformation is limited.

According to the information recording method, since, by limiting thepresentation of the content information according to the presentationcontrol information that has been recorded, it is possible to controlthe presentation of the content information according to the content ofthe reproduction information, it is possible to prevent the content ofthe reproduction information from being inadvertently recognized by theuser due to the inadvertent presentation of the content information withrespect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation reproducing method for reproducing a recording mediumcomprising: a reproduction information recording region in which areproduction information is recorded; and a presentation controlinformation recording region in which a presentation controlinformation, which indicates whether the presentation of a contentinformation indicating the content of the reproduction information islimited, is recorded. The information reproducing method is providedwith: a detection process of detecting the presentation controlinformation from the recording medium; and a limitation process oflimiting the presentation of the content information based on thedetected presentation control information.

According to the information reproducing method, since detecting thepresentation control information that has been recorded and limiting,according to the limitation content indicated by that presentationcontrol information, either the reproduction processing or thepresentation of the content information, it is possible to control thepresentation of the content information according to the content of thereproduction information and it is possible to prevent the content ofthe reproduction information from being inadvertently recognized by theuser due to the inadvertent presentation of the content information withrespect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a recordingcontrol program that is execute on a computer included in an informationrecording apparatus. The recording control program is provided with: areproduction information recording step for recording reproductioninformation into a recording medium; and a control information recordingstep for recording into the recording medium a presentation controlinformation that indicates whether the presentation of contentinformation indicating the content of the reproduction information islimited.

According to the recording control program, the recording computer readsout the recording control program and functions to limit thepresentation of the content information according to the presentationcontrol information that has been, recorded, it is possible to controlthe presentation of the content information according to the content ofthe reproduction information, it is possible to prevent the content ofthe reproduction information from being inadvertently recognized by theuser due to the inadvertent presentation of the content information withrespect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by areproduction control, program that is execute on a computer included inan information reproducing apparatus for reproducing a recording mediumcomprising: a reproduction information recording region in which thereis recorded reproduction information; and a presentation controlinformation recording region in which there is recorded presentationcontrol information that indicates whether the presentation of contentinformation indicating the content of the reproduction information islimited. The reproduction control program is provided with: a detectionstep for detecting the presentation control information from therecording medium; and a limitation step for limiting the presentation ofthe content information based on the detected presentation controlinformation.

According to the reproduction control program, the reproducing computerreads out the reproduction control program and functions to detect thepresentation control information that has been recorded and limit,according to the limitation content indicated by that presentationcontrol information, either the reproduction processing or thepresentation of the content information, it is possible to control thepresentation of the content information according to the content of thereproduction information and it is possible to prevent the content ofthe reproduction information from being inadvertently recognized by theuser due to the inadvertent presentation of the content information withrespect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording medium. The information recording medium records aprogram for an information recording is recorded so as to be readable bya computer included in an information recording apparatus, wherein theprogram allows the computer to function as: a reproduction informationrecording device that records reproduction information into a recordingmedium; and a control information recording device that records into therecording medium a presentation control information that indicateswhether the presentation of a content information indicating the contentof the reproduction information is limited.

According to the information recording medium, the computer reads outthe program from the information recording medium and it functions tolimit the presentation of the content information according to thepresentation control information that has been recorded, it is possibleto control the presentation of the content information according to thecontent of the reproduction information, it is possible to prevent thecontent of the reproduction information from being inadvertentlyrecognized by the user due to the inadvertent presentation of thecontent information with respect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording medium. The information recording medium records aprogram for an information reproducing is recorded so as to be readableby a computer included in an information reproducing apparatus forreproducing a recording medium comprising: a reproduction informationrecording region in which a reproduction information is recorded; and apresentation control information recording region in which apresentation control information, which indicates whether thepresentation of content information indicating the content of thereproduction information is limited, is recorded, wherein the programallows the computer to function as: a detection device that detects thepresentation control information from the recording medium; and alimitation device that limits the presentation of the contentinformation based on the detected presentation control information.

According to the information recording medium, the computer reads outthe program from the information recording medium and it functions todetect the presentation control information from the recording mediumand to limit the presentation of the content information based on thedetected presentation control information, it is possible to control thepresentation of the content information according to the content of thereproduction information and it is possible to prevent the content ofthe reproduction information from being inadvertently recognized by theuser due to the inadvertent presentation of the content information withrespect to the user.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by anrecording medium. The recording medium provided with: a reproductioninformation recording region in which a reproduction information isrecorded; and a presentation control information recording region inwhich a presentation control information, which indicates whether thepresentation of content information indicating the content of thereproduction information is limited, is recorded.

According to the recording medium, since, by reading out thepresentation control information recorded in the presentation controlinformation recording region and thereby limiting the presentation ofthe content information according to the presentation controlinformation, it is possible to control the presentation of the contentinformation according to the content of the reproduction information, itis thereby possible to prevent the content of the reproductioninformation from being inadvertently recognized by the user due to theinadvertent presentation of the content information with respect to theuser.

In one aspect of the recording medium, the content information is aninformation which is presented in advance of starting the reproductionprocessing of the reproduction information.

According to this aspect, since the content information is presented inadvance of the time when starting the reproduction processing of thereproduction information, and since, therefore, the presentation of thecontent information is limited, it is possible to control thepresentation of the content information in advance of the reproductionprocessing of the reproduction information.

In another aspect of the recording medium, the presentation controlinformation is an information which indicates further whether thereproduction of the reproduction information is limited.

According to this aspect, since the presentation control information hastwo ways of meaning one of which concerns whether limiting thepresentation of the content information and the other of which concernswhether limiting the reproduction processing itself of the reproductioninformation, by reading out the presentation control informationrecorded in the presentation control information recording region andthereby limiting not only the presentation of the content informationbut also the reproduction processing of the reproduction informationitself according to the presentation control information it is possibleto prevent the content of the reproduction information from beinginadvertently recognized by the user.

In further aspect of the recording medium, the content informationincludes at least one of a representative picture image information thatcorresponds to a representative picture image that represents an imagecontained in the reproduction information, a title information thatcorresponds to a title representing the reproduction information, a gistinformation indicating the gist of the reproduction information, and atime/date information indicating a time date regarding the reproductioninformation.

According to this aspect, since the content information contains thereinat least one of the representative picture image, title information,gist information, and time/date information, it is possible to preventthat representative picture image, etc. from being inadvertentlypresented to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a recording format according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic construction of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the detailed construction of amenu screen producing circuit according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the recording process according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the editing process according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the reproduction list displayprocess according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a view illustrating examples of display (I) of the menuscreen according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a view illustrating examples of display (II) of the menuscreen according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7C is a view illustrating examples of display (III) of the menuscreen according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart (II) illustrating the reproduction list displayprocess according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a view illustrating examples of display (IV) of the menuscreen according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a view illustrating examples of display (V) of the menuscreen according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9C is a view illustrating examples of display (VI) of the menuscreen according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the reproduction list selectionprocess according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the reproduction process accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a recording format according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the recording process according tothe second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating the editing process according tothe second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the reproduction list selectionprocess according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a recording format according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating the recording process according tothe third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating the editing process according tothe third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating the reproduction list displayprocess according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart (II) illustrating the reproduction list displayprocess according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating the reproduction list selectionprocess according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating the reproduction process accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a recording format according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating the recording process according tothe fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating the editing process according tothe fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now beexplained with reference to the drawings.

It is to be noted that the embodiments explained below are the ones inwhich the present invention has been applied to an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus wherein information can be recorded andreproduced with respect to a disc-like recording medium (concretely, forexample, a DVD enabling rewrite of information with respect thereto aplurality of times, etc. and each of these media is hereinafter referredto simply as “the optical disc”) enabling optical recording/reproductionof information with respect thereto a plurality of times.

(I) First Embodiment

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be explainedusing FIGS. 1 to 11.

(A) Embodiment of the Recording Format

Initially, before concretely explaining the construction of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus according to the firstembodiment, using FIG. 1, an explanation will be given of the recordingformat that is used when recording information with respect to theoptical disc by the use of that information recording/reproducingapparatus according to the first embodiment. Incidentally, FIG. 1 is adiagram illustrating a recording format (physical format) of therespective information according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, after information has been recorded, with theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus, with respect to an opticaldisc 1 according to the first embodiment, there are formed on theoptical disc 1 sequentially from its inner-peripheral side the followingthree areas. The first area is a lead-in area LI in which there isrecorded starting information that is to be read when startingreproduction processing of the information recorded (more specifically,starting information containing therein, for example, the radiationintensity of a light beam for reproduction processing, etc.), the secondarea is a data area DA in which there are recorded that information tobe reproduced, reproduction control information for controlling the wayof reproducing that information, etc., and the third area is a lead-outarea LO in which there is recorded ending information that is to be readout when ending the reproduction processing of the information recorded.

Next, within the data area DA, there are recorded general informationGM, menu control information MC, a for-use-as-menu static image datagroup MD, mark control information KC, a for-use-as-mark static imagedata group KD, a reproduction (play) list information group PLS, anattribute information group CIS, a real information group DS, andetceteras information ET that is to be recorded into within the dataarea DA, in the way in which they have their own divisional regions.

Of those divisional regions, as the general information GM, there arerecorded user interface information UI which is information that isdisplayed to the user when reproducing the information recorded withinthe data area DA (namely, information having the user interfacefunction), number of reproduction lists information NPL which isinformation that indicates the total number of reproduction listsrecorded within the data area DA in the way described later, a codenumber PIN according to the present invention which is used when havinghad display-prohibited a representative picture image representativelyindicating the contents of its corresponding reproduction list, etc.,and etceteras information ETG which is other information falling underthe category of the general information.

Incidentally, regarding this code number PIN, in case of the firstembodiment, the code numbers PIN associated with all informationrecorded in the optical disc 1 are recorded in the interior of thegeneral information GM region.

Next, the menu control information MC is control information which isused when showing, as a menu, to the user the representative pictureimage representative of picture image information, etc. reproducedaccording to its corresponding reproduction list stored within thereproduction list group PLS region before reproducing it.

Further, as the for-use-as-menu static image data group MD, the staticimage data corresponding to the representative picture image that ismenu-displayed according to the menu control information MG is recordedin units of a reproduction list. In connection with this, each item ofstatic image data has added thereto an identification informationidentifiable from one another and, when actually reproducing theinformation according to the content of the reproduction list, thatstatic image data that exists every reproduction list is extracted byusing that identification information as a clue.

Next, the mark control information KC is control information which, inorder to, for example, cause entry of the code number, is used, forexample, when a mark (e.g., an implication icon IC as later described)for entry of that code number is shown to the user together with themenu.

Further, as the for-use-as-mark static image data group KD, there isrecorded static image data corresponding to the marks that are shownaccording to the mark control information KC. At this time, as in thecase of the representative picture image, each static image data hasadded thereto an identification information identifiable from oneanother and, when a necessary mark is shown, a corresponding necessarystatic image data is extracted using that identification information asa clue.

Also, as the reproduction (play) list information group PLS there isrecorded a plurality of pieces as illustrated in FIG. 1 the reproductionlist PL that is used to control the manner of reproducing that isexecuted when reproducing real information as later described(specifically the manner of reproducing such as the sequential order ofreproducing the respective real information, which portion of therespective real information is to be reproduced, the reproduction speedof the respective real information itself, etc.).

In connection with this, the reproduction lists of two kinds arerecorded. Namely, as the first kind, there are recorded realreproduction lists RPL1, RPL2, . . . , each of that is in 1:1correspondence with the corresponding respective real information aslater described and the number of that is the same as that of those realinformation items, and that are used to reproduce one item of realinformation in completely the same manner as that which was executedwhen that item of real information was recorded in the optical disc 1.Next, as the second kind, there are recorded virtual reproduction listsVPL that are used to reproduce, as in the case of connecting part of oneitem of real information and part of another and consecutivelyreproducing them, part of each of a plurality of real information itemsin the manner in which those parts are virtually combined together usingtheir corresponding real reproduction (play) lists RPL and in the mannerin which those parts go over the divisions each made between each two ofthe items of real information. At this time, the number of those virtualreproduction lists VPL is set in the way to have no relevancy to thenumber of the real information items.

Further, within each of the reproduction lists (either the realreproduction lists RPL or the virtual reproduction lists VPL), asillustrated in FIG. 1, there are included the following. A reproductionlimit flag PCF that indicates whether limiting the reproduction of thereal information indicated by that reproduction list PL (morespecifically whether prohibiting the reproduction of that informationwith respect to a person other than those who are specified), areproduction list display limit flag PHF that indicates whether limitingthe presentation with respect to the user of the representative pictureimage for use as menu, itself, corresponding to the real informationreproduced according to that reproduction list PL, for-use-as-menurepresentative picture image information SN which is identificationinformation indicating the representative picture image for use as menuthat corresponds to the reproduction list PL, name information NM thatindicates the name of the real information reproduced according to thatreproduction list PL, gist information. GL which is text informationindicating the gist of the real information, and etceteras informationETP which is other information falling under the category of thereproduction list PL.

Here, as the etceteras information ETP, specifically, there are includedinformation indicating the sequential order of reproduction, addressinformation that indicates the recording position on the optical disc 1at which there is recorded a portion of the real information that is tobe reproduced, information that indicates the reproduction speed of thatreal information, information that indicates the date on which thereproduction list PL itself was produced, information that indicates theattribute information as later described which should be referred towhen reproducing, etc.

Also, as the content of the reproduction control flag PCF, specifically,it is set to “1” when the content of the real information D that is tobe reproduced according to the reproduction list PL in which iscontained that reproduction control flag PCF is the content with respectto which reproduction control should be performed such as the one inwhich the reproduction with respect to a person other than those who arespecified should be prohibited, and that is set to “0” when that contentis the one which should not be reproduction-controlled.

Further, as the content of the reproduction list display prohibitionflag PHF, specifically, it is set to “1” when the display of thereproduction list PL in which is contained the reproduction list displayprohibition flag PHF, itself, should be prohibited on the menu screen aslater described, namely, the display of the representative picture imagecorresponding to the reproduction list PL should be prohibited on themenu screen, and that is set to “0” when the display of therepresentative picture image is not prohibited.

Next, as the attribute information group CIS, there are recordedattribute information items corresponding to the respective realinformation items, which are attribute information items CI1, CI2, CI3,. . . , CIn indicating the attributes (kinds) of those respective realinformation items, by the number that is the same as that of the realinformation items. At this time, as the attributes, specifically, thereare, for example, a genre's name under which the content of thecorresponding real information falls, recording date on which that realinformation was recorded, and information indicating whether that realinformation is text information, image information, or voiceinformation. And, these information items are recorded as the attributeinformation.

Finally, as the real information group DS, one or multiple realinformation items D1, D2, D3, . . . , Dn are recorded as the informationthat is to be actually reproduced, together with identificationinformation identifiable from one another. At this time, as this realinformation, for example, a single piece of film, a single piece ofmusic, etc. is respectively recorded as one item of real information D.

(B) Embodiments of the Construction and Operation of the InformationRecording/Reproducing Apparatus

Next, the construction and operation of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment whichrecords/reproduces the real information D with the use of the recordingformat illustrated in FIG. 1 will be explained using FIGS. 2 to 10.

First of all, the construction and the entire operation of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus will be explained using FIG.2. Incidentally, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the outlineconstruction of the information recording/reproducing apparatus.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information recording/reproducingapparatus S according to the first embodiment comprises a pickup 2serving as a detecting device, an A/D (Analog/Digital) converter 3, anMPEG (Moving Picture Coding Expert Group) encoder 4, multiplexers 5 and10, a recording encoder 6, a recording circuit 7, a reproducing circuit8, a reproducing decoder 9, an MPEG decoder 11, a menu screen producingcircuit 12, a D/A converter 13, a static image encoder 14, a buffer 15,a spindle motor 16, a CPU 17 serving as a reproduction informationrecording device, a control information recording device, a limitingdevice, and a prohibiting device, a servo circuit 18, a display part 19,an operation part 20, and a switch 22.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the menu screen producing circuit 12comprises a capture part 23, a scale reduction changing part 24, amemory 25, a GUI (Graphical Users Interface) screen producing part 26,and a synthesizing part 27.

Next, the schematic operation of each of the respective constituentmembers will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 3.

Initially, an explanation will be given of a case where information tobe recorded from the outside (concretely this information to be recordedincludes both image information and voice information.) is recorded ontothe optical disc 1.

When an information signal Sin corresponding to the information to berecorded is input from the outside and, along therewith, a recordingbutton not illustrated is operated in the operation part 20, first, theA/D converter 3 digitizes that information signal Sin to produce adigital signal Sd and outputs to the MPEG encoder 4.

And, the MPEG encoder 4, according to a control signal S₇ that is outputfrom the CPU 17, performs compression of the digital signal Sd that isinput on in accordance with the MPEG 2 method, to thereby produce acompression signal Se and outputs it to the multiplexers 5 and 10.

And, the multiplexer 5, according to a control signal S₅ that is outputfrom the CPU 17, performs, when necessary, switching between thecompression signal Se that is input on and a buffer signal Sbo as laterdescribed to thereby produce a changeover recording signal Smr andoutputs it to the recording encoder 6.

And, the encoder 6, according to a control signal S₃ that is output fromthe CPU 17, executes with respect to the changeover recording signal Smrthat is input on processing for converting the format of the changeoverrecording signal Smr into the recording format illustrated in FIG. 1,the formatting process, to thereby produce a recording encoded signalSre and outputs to the recording circuit 7.

At this time, as the formatting process, specifically, first, accordingto the control signal S₃, when necessary, the changeover recordingsignal Smr that is input is output to the CPU 17 as is. And, the CPU 17,according to the changeover recording signal Smr, produces theabove-described general information GM, menu control information MC,for-use-as-menu static image data group MD, mark control information KC,for-use-as-mark static image data group KD, reproduction (play) listinformation group PLS including the respective reproduction lists PL,attribute information group CIS, real information group DS, andetceteras information ET and outputs these to the recording encoder 6 asthe control signal S3. And, as a result of this, the recording encoder 6produces the recording encoded signal Sre in accordance with therecording format illustrated in FIG. 1. Incidentally, the informationfor production of the above-described virtual reproduction lists VPL,namely, identification information indicating respective parts of therelevant real information D that should fall under the virtualreproduction list VPL, information indicating the sequential order ofreproducing those respective parts, etc. are input from the operationpart 20 during the formatting process.

Next, the recording circuit 7, according to a control signal S2 that isoutput from the CPU 17, converts the recording encoded signal Sre into arecording signal Sr for use for recording and outputs the resultingsignal to the pickup 2. At this time, in the recording circuit 7, the“Write Strategy” processing, etc. are executed with respect to therecording encoded signal Sre so as to form in the optical disc 1 thepits the configuration of which accurately corresponds to theinformation that is to be recorded.

Thereafter, the pickup 2, according to the recording signal Sr that isoutput from the recording circuit 7, drives a light source notillustrated, such as a semiconductor laser, within this pickup 2 tothereby produce a light beam B such as laser light and radiate it ontothe information recording surface of the optical disc 1 and thereby formthe pits corresponding to the recording signal and thereby record thisrecording signal Sr on the optical disc 1. At this time, the opticaldisc 1 is rotated in a prescribed number of rotations by a spindle motor16 that is driven according to a spindle control signal Ssm as laterdescribed. Incidentally, on the optical disc 1, for example, pitscorresponding to the recording signal Sr are formed in accordance withthe phase change method, whereby this recording signal Sr is recorded.

On the other hand, the above-described compression signal Se that isoutput to the multiplexer 10 passes through this multiplexer 10 and isoutput as a reproduction changeover signal Smp to the MPEG decoder 11.

And, the MPEG decoder 11, according to a control signal S₉ that isoutput from the CPU 17, executes expansion processing with respect tothe reproduction changeover signal Smp that is input on (at the time ofrecording information the compression signal Se itself) in accordancewith the MPEG 2 method, and outputs the resulting signal to the menuscreen producing circuit 12, static image encoder 14, and one inputterminal of the switch 22, as a decoded signal Sdc.

Next, the static image encoder 14, according to a control signal S₁₁that is output from the CPU 17, encodes, as a static image, the imagethat has been selected, for being made a representative picture imagewithin the menu screen through the execution of a process as laterdescribed, from the image information contained in the decoded signalSdc that is input on. And the static image encoder 14 outputs theresulting signal to the buffer 15 as a static image encoded signal Sse.

As a result of this, the buffer 15, according to a control signal S8that is output from the CPU 17, temporarily stores the static imageencoded signal Sse and reads it out and outputs to the multiplexer 5 asthe buffer signal Sbo.

On the other hand, at the time of information recording, the switch 22is changed over to the decoded signal Sdc side according to a controlsignal S₁₃ that is output from the CPU 17.

And, the decoded signal Sdc is output from the switch 22 to the D/Aconverter 13 as a changeover signal Sch.

Next, the D/A converter 13 makes the changeover signal Sch analog toproduce an output signal Sout corresponding to the information signalSin and thereby to output it to a later described monitor outside,speaker, not illustrated, outside, etc.

At this time, when recognizing that the recording button not illustratedin the operation part 20 has been operated according to a command signalSc from that operation part 20, the CPU 17 produces the above-describedrespective control signals S₂, S₃, S₅, S₇, S₈, S₁₁, and S₁₃ and outputsthese signals to the above-described respective constituent members tothereby control the above-described respective operations for recording.

Through the performance of the above-explained series of operations atthe time of information recording, the image or voice, which correspondsto the recording signal Sr that is presently being recorded, can berecorded while monitoring it on a real-time basis. It is to be notedthat at this time information recording the menu screen producingcircuit 12 is left out of operation.

Next, the operation that is performed when reproducing the informationthat is recorded on the optical disc 1 will be explained.

At the time of information reproduction, first, when in the operationpart 20 a reproduction button therein that is not illustrated isoperated, the pickup 2 radiates a reproduction light beam B onto theoptical disc 1 that is rotating and produces, according to thatreflected light, a detection signal Sp corresponding to the pit formedin the optical disc 1, and outputs it to the reproducing circuit 8.

Next, the reproducing circuit 8, according to a control signal S₁ thatis output from the CPU 17, amplifies the detection signal Sp that hasbeen output, with a prescribed amplification factor, and performsreshaping of that waveform to thereby produce a reproduction signal Sppand outputs it to the reproducing decoder 9.

And, the reproducing decoder 9, according to a control signal S₄ that isoutput from the CPU 17, executes unformatting process, which correspondsto the formatting process in the recording encoder 6, with respect tothe reproduction signal Spp that is input on, to thereby produce areproduction decoded signal Spd and outputs it to the multiplexer 10.

Next, the multiplexer 10, according to a control signal S₆ that isoutput from the CPU 17, causes the reproduction decoded signal Spd thatis input on to pass' there through and outputs it to the MPEG decoder 11as the reproduction changeover signal Smp.

And, the MPEG decoder 11, according to a control signal S₉ that isoutput from the CPU 17, executes the above-described expansionprocessing with respect to the reproduction changeover signal Smp thatis input on, to thereby produce the decoded signal Sdc. Then, it outputsthe decoded signal Sdc to the menu screen producing circuit 12 and oneinput terminal of the switch 22.

As a result of this, the menu screen producing circuit 12, according toa control signal S₁₂ that is output from the CPU 17, using an image thatis designated from within the decoded signal Sdc that is input on bythat control signal S₁₂, produces a menu screen (including therein theabove-described representative picture image) for selecting whichreproduction list PL the real information D should be reproduced inaccordance with when reproducing information. And, it outputs theresulting signal to the other input terminal of the switch 22 as a menusignal Smy.

And, the switch 22, according to a control signal S13 that is outputfrom the CPU 17, performs switching between the menu signal Smy that isinput on and the decoded signal Sdc and outputs to the D/A converter 13as the changeover signal Sch.

As a result of this, the D/A converter 13 makes analog the changeoversignal Sch and produces an output signal containing therein either oneof the information signal Sin and the menu screen signal correspondingto the menu signal Smy and outputs it to a later described monitoroutside, speaker, not illustrated, outside, etc.

At this time, the CPU 17, when recognizing according to a command signalSc from the operation part 20 that a reproduction button not illustratedin that operation part 20 has been operated, produces theabove-described control signals S₁, S₄, S₆, S₉, S₁₂, and S₁₃ and outputsthem to the above-described relevant constituent members to therebycontrol the above-described respective operations for reproduction.

In parallel with those respective information recording or informationreproducing operations, the CPU 17 produces a control signal Ss forperforming servo control of the spindle motor 16 and pickup 2 andoutputs it to the servo circuit 18. The servo circuit 18, according tothe control signal Ss, produces a spindle control signal Ssm forcontrolling the rotation of the spindle motor 16 and outputs it to thespindle motor 16. On the other hand, the servo circuit 18 produces,according to that control signal Ss, a pickup control signal Ssp forperforming the “tracking servo control” and “focus servo control” in thepickup 2 and outputs it to the pickup 2. And, according to that pickupcontrol signal Ssp, the pickup 2 performs recording of the recordingsignal Sr or detection of the detection signal Sp while performingtracking servo control and focus servo control with respect to the lightbeam B.

Incidentally, the information that is needed in order for the user tocontrol the above-described operation of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S is displayed on the display part 19according to a display signal Sdp from the CPU 17.

Next, the operation of the respective constituent member within the menuscreen producing circuit 12 when reproducing information will beexplained using FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the capture part 23 within the menu screenproducing circuit 12, according to a control signal S14 contained in theabove-described control signal S₁₂ that is output from the CPU 17,temporarily stores therein that signal of the decoded signal Sdc inputon which corresponds to the above-described representative picture imageused for constructing the menu screen, and outputs it to the scalereduction changing part 24 as a capture signal Scp.

And, the scale reduction changing part 24 changes the image contained inthe capture signal Scp into a reduced scale that is necessary forconstructing the menu screen, and outputs the resulting signal to thememory 25 as a scale reduction signal Sex.

Thereafter, the memory 25, after temporarily storing therein the scalereduction signal Sex, outputs it to the synthesizing part 27.

On the other hand, the GUI screen producing part 26, according to acontrol signal S₁₅ contained in the above-described control signal S₁₂,produces an image (the “an icon”, etc.), other than the image containedin the scale reduction signal Sex, that is necessary for constructingthe menu screen, and outputs that signal to the synthesized part 27 asan image signal Sg.

And, the synthesizing part 27, according to a control signal S16contained in the above-described control signal S₁₂, produces a menuscreen signal by using the scale reduction signal Sex, image signal Sg,and decoded signal Sdc and outputs it to the switch 22 as theabove-described menu signal Smy.

Next, the concrete operation that is performed when recording the realinformation D, etc. onto the optical disc 1 through the operation of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S having the above-describedconstruction and in accordance with the recording format illustrated inFIG. 1 will be explained using FIG. 4. Incidentally, FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the recording process of the real information Daccording to the first embodiment which is executed, mainly, accordingto and from the CPU 17.

In this recording process, initially, it is confirmed whether, in theoperation part 20, the start of the recording process has beeninstructed by a recording button not illustrated (step S1). When thestart of the recording process is not instructed (step S1: NO), then, inthe operation part 20, it is confirmed whether in the operation part 20an ending button not illustrated (concretely the power source “off”button, etc.) that indicates the termination of the recording processhas been operated (step S13). And, when the ending button is operated(step S13: YES), the recording process according to the first embodimentis terminated as is while, on the other hand, when the ending button isnot operated either (step S13: NO), the flow returns to the step S1 andthe CPU 17 waits as is.

On the other hand, when the start of the recording operation has beeninstructed (step S1: YES), next, recording onto the optical disc 1 ofthe real information that is input on as the above-described informationsignal Sin is performed (step S2). And, it is confirmed whetherrecording of all real information D has been terminated (step S3) and,when not terminated (step S3: NO), the recording process goes on beingexecuted as is (step S2). When having been terminated (step S3: YES),next, the attribute information CI corresponding to the respective realinformation D that has been recorded is produced and, togethertherewith, corresponding reproduction list PL is also similarlyproduced. Then, the attribute information CI and reproduction list PLthat have been produced are recorded onto the optical disc 1 inaccordance with the recording format illustrated in FIG. 1 (step S4).

Next, it is confirmed according to the content of the operation in theoperation part 20 whether the content of the real information D that isreproduced according to the produced reproduction list PL is the onewith respect to which there should be performed reproduction controlsuch as, for example, prohibiting the reproduction with respect to aperson other than specified users (step S5). When that content is notthe one with respect to which no reproduction control should beperformed (step S5: NO), the recording process according to the firstembodiment is terminated as is. When, on the other hand, that content isthe one with respect to which reproduction control should be performed(step S5: YES), it is confirmed (step S6), by searching the generalinformation GM region, whether the code number PIN is already recordedwithin the general information GM of the optical disc 1 having hadrecorded therein the real information D and reproduction list PL (stepsS2 and S4). And, when the code number PIN is not recorded (step S6: NO),a display indicating that a code number PIN should newly be entered ismade on the display not illustrated, etc. to thereby prompt the user todo entry processing. When a new code number PIN has been enteredcorrespondingly thereto (step S7), this entered code number PIN isrecorded in the region illustrated in FIG. 1 within the generalinformation GM (step S8), then the flow proceeds to the succeeding stepS9.

On the other hand, when in the determination made in the step S6 thecode number PIN is already recorded (step S6: YES), next, it isconfirmed (step S9), according to the operated content of the operationpart 20, whether the display of the produced (step S4) reproduction listPL itself should be prohibited on the menu screen, namely whether thedisplay of the representative picture image corresponding to thatreproduction list PL should be prohibited on the menu screen. When thedisplay of that representative picture image should not be prohibited(step S9: NO), according to the determination of the step S5 the contentof the reproduction control flag PCF that should be included under thecorresponding reproduction list PL is set to “1”, and, simultaneously,the content of the reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF thatshould similarly be included under that list PL is set to “0” (stepS12).

On the other hand, when the display of that representative picture imageis the one which should be prohibited (step S9: YES), according to thedetermination made in the step S5 the content of the reproductioncontrol flag PCF that should be included under the correspondingreproduction list PL is set to “1”. Simultaneously, the content of thereproduction list display prohibition flag PHF that should similarly beincluded thereunder is set to “1” (step S10).

And, at the point in time when setting the content of the reproductioncontrol flag PCF and the content of the reproduction list display flagPHF has respectively finished being performed (steps S10 and S12), thecontent of the corresponding reproduction list PL that was recorded(step S4) is rewritten (step S11), thereby the series of processingoperations for the recording process are terminated.

Next, the concrete operation of the editing process for editing the realinformation D, etc. that is executed in accordance with the recordingformat illustrated in FIG. 1 through the operation of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus S having the above-describedconstruction will be explained using FIG. 5. Incidentally, FIG. 5 is aflow chart illustrating the editing process for the real information Daccording to the first embodiment that is executed, mainly, according toand from the CPU 17. Also, this editing process, concretely, includesprocessing for producing a new virtual reproduction list VPL, processingfor adding/recording new real information D, processing for changing thecontent of an existing virtual reproduction list VPL, processing fordeleting part of existing real information D from the optical disc 1,etc.

In this editing process, initially, while they are being subjected tocontrol processing such as prohibiting their display through theexecution of the processes as later described in detail, therepresentative picture image corresponding to the respectivereproduction list PL recorded on the optical disc 1 is displayed on thedisplay not illustrated (step S40), and, further, by selecting a desiredone from among the representative picture images that are beingdisplayed, there is selected a reproduction list PL that is to be edited(step S41).

When the reproduction list PI is selected, next, whether the realinformation D corresponding to the selected reproduction list PL is theone with respect to which the above-described reproduction controlshould be performed is determined by confirming the content of thereproduction control flag PCF within the selected reproduction list(step S42). And, when that real information D is not the one whichshould be reproduction-controlled (step S42: NO), the flow proceeds to astep S46 as later described as is. On the other hand when thatreproduction list PI is the one which should be reproduction-controlled(step S42: YES), next, whether the representative picture imagecorresponding to the reproduction list PL has its display prohibited onthe menu screen is determined by confirming the content of thereproduction list display prohibition flag PHF within the selectedreproduction list PL (step. S43). And, for releasing that displayprohibition, the display indicating that the code number PIN, which musthave been recorded in the optical disc 1, should be entered is made, forexample, on the display not illustrated, etc., to thereby prompt theexecution of that entry processing. When correspondingly thereto a newcode number PIN has been entered (step S44), collation is made betweenthis entered code number PIN and the code number PIN that is keptrecorded in the general information GM region, thereby confirmation ismade of whether those code numbers coincide with each other (step S45).As a result of this, when the both do not coincide with each other (stepS45: NO), determination is made of that the user who should not viewthat representative picture image is presently executing the editingprocess, the flow then returning to the step S41 as is, and the CPU 17makes the user select a different reproduction list PL. On the otherhand, when the entered code number PIN and the code number PIN keptrecorded coincide with each other (step S45: YES), next, the desiredediting process is executed (step S46) while that selected reproductionlist PL is being displayed.

Next, whether the operation to the effect that the editing process hasfinished being executed has been performed in the operation part 20 isconfirmed (step S47). When having not finished (step S47: NO), theediting process goes on being executed as is. When, on the other hand,having already finished (step S47: YES), whether the content of the realinformation D that is to be reproduced according to the post-editreproduction list PL is the one with respect to which reproductioncontrol should be performed is determined according to the content ofthe operation in the operation part 20 (step S48). When that content isnot the one with respect to which reproduction control should beperformed (step S48: NO), the reproduction control flag PCF in the newlyproduced reproduction list PL is set to “0” and simultaneously thereproduction list display prohibition flag PHF is set to “0” (step S49),and the flow proceeds to the processing of a step S56 as laterdescribed.

On the other hand, when the content of the real information D that is tobe reproduced according to the post-edit reproduction list PL is the onewhich should be reproduction-controlled (step S48: YES), next, whetherthe code number PIN is already recorded within the general informationGM region of the optical disc 1 in which the post-edit reproduction listPL was recorded (step S46) is confirmed by searching that generalinformation GM region (step S50). And, when the code number PIN is notrecorded (step S50: NO), the display indicating that the code number PINshould be newly entered is made, for example, on the display notillustrated, etc., to thereby prompt the execution of that entryprocessing. When correspondingly thereto a new code number PIN has beenentered (step S51), this entered code number PIN is recorded into thezone illustrated in FIG. 1 within the general information GM region(step S52), and the flow proceeds to the succeeding step S53.

On the other hand, when in the determination of the step S50 the codenumber PIN is already recorded (step S50: YES), next, whether thedisplay of the representative picture image corresponding to theproduced (step S46) reproduction list PL is the one which should beprohibited in the relevant menu screen is confirmed (step S53) accordingto the content of the operation in the operation part 20. And when thatdisplay of the representative picture image is not the one which shouldbe prohibited (step S53: NO), the content of the reproduction controlflag PCF that should be included under the corresponding reproduction(play) list PL is set to “1” according to the determination in the stepS48 and, simultaneously, the content of the reproduction list displayprohibition flag PHF that should similarly be included thereunder is setto “0” (step S55).

On the other hand, when the display of that representative image is theone which should be prohibited (step S53: YES), the content of thereproduction control flag PCF that should be included under thecorresponding reproduction (play) list PL is set to “1” according to thedetermination in the step S48 and, simultaneously, the content of thereproduction list display prohibition flag PHF that should similarly beincluded thereunder is set to “1” (step S54).

And, at the point in time when setting the content of the reproductioncontrol flag PCF and the content of the reproduction list display flagPHF has respectively finished being performed (steps 49 and 55), thecontent of the corresponding reproduction list PL that was recorded(step S46) is rewritten (step. S56), thereby the series of processingoperations for the editing process are terminated.

Next, the detail of the display process (step S40) for therepresentative image corresponding to the reproduction list PL in theabove-described editing process will be explained using FIGS. 6 and 7.Incidentally, FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the display processfor a reproduction list according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 isa view illustrating an example of display of a reproduction listaccording to the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the display process for the representativepicture image in the step S40, first, the optical disc 1 is inserted(step S15) into an insertion opening not illustrated for this opticaldisc 1 in the information recording/reproducing apparatus S, and allreproduction lists PL recorded in the thus-inserted optical disc 1 aredetected (step; S16).

And, regarding the respective reproduction list PL detected, whethertheir corresponding representative picture image is set to bedisplay-prohibited on the menu screen is determined by confirming thecontent of the reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF in therespective reproduction list PL (step S17).

And, when that representative picture image is not display-prohibited(step S17: NO), the corresponding representative picture image isdisplayed, as indicated by the symbol SI, within the menu screen Millustrated in, for example, FIG. 7A and, in addition, according to thenecessity, the reproduction list information such as the name,production date, etc. of the reproduction list PL itself is displayed bysearching the interior of this reproduction list PL (step S19), then theflow proceeds to a step S20.

On the other hand, when in the determination of the step S17 thecorresponding representative picture image is display-prohibited (stepS17: YES), the corresponding representative picture image is displayed,for example, in such a manner as to make an illustration of it withinthe menu screen of FIG. 7A as a for-non-display image SSI, so that thecontent of that representative picture image cannot be recognized. And,in addition, the above-described reproduction list information is notdisplayed (step S18).

And, whether display processing has finished being executed up to therepresentative picture image corresponding to a final reproduction listPL is confirmed (step S20). When that has not finished being executed(step S20: NO), the flow returns to the step S16, thereby theabove-described steps of processing operations are repeated again. Onthe other hand, when that has already finished being executed (step S20:NO) up to the display of the representative picture image correspondingto the final reproduction list PL, the flow proceeds to step S41 as is.

Incidentally, in the display process illustrated in FIG. 6, regardingthe representative picture image the display of that is prohibited, inplace of that representative picture image, measure has been taken ofdisplaying the for-non-display image SSI illustrated in FIG. 7A.However, other than this, regarding the reproduction list PL thecorresponding representative picture image to which isdisplay-prohibited, measure may also be taken of making no display ofany images at the corresponding position as illustrated in FIG. 8 (seeFIG. 9A) and of only displaying the representative picture image SI thedisplay of which is permitted (step S19). At this time, as illustratedin FIG. 9A, at a part of the interior of the menu screen M, animplication icon IC that implies the existence of the representativepicture image (reproduction list PL) the display of which is prohibitedmay be displayed together with the representative picture image SI thedisplay of which is permitted.

Next, the detail of the selection processing (step S41) of thereproduction list PL in the above-described editing process will beexplained using FIG. 10. Incidentally, FIG. 10 is a flow chartillustrating the selection process of the reproduction list according tothe first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the selection process of the reproductionlist PL that is executed in the above-described step S41, first, whenthe menu screen M illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed by the execution ofthe above-described step S40, next, the processing for selecting thereproduction list PL in that menu screen M is executed in the operationpart 20 (step S25), next, it is determined whether that reproductionlist PL that has been selected is the one the correspondingrepresentative picture image of that is display-prohibited (step S26).

And, in a case where the reproduction list PL the representative pictureimage SI of that is not display-prohibited has been selected (step S26:NO), the flow proceeds to the step S42 as is. On the other hand, in acase where the reproduction list PL the representative picture image SIof that is display-prohibited has been selected (step S26: YES), then,for releasing the prohibition of that display, as illustrated in FIG.7B, a field PT for entry that indicates that the code number PIN whichmust have been recorded in the optical disc 1 is to be entered isdisplayed on the menu screen M to thereby prompt the execution of theentry processing. When correspondingly thereto that code number PIN hasbeen entered (step S27), collation is made between that entered codenumber PIN and the code number PIN recorded in the general informationGM region, and it is confirmed whether those code numbers coincide witheach other (step S28). As a result of this, when the both do notcoincide (step S28: NO), it is determined that the user who should notview that representative picture image is presently executing the editprocess. Thereby, the flow returns to the step S25 to thereby cause theuser to select a different reproduction list PL. On the other hand, whenthe input code number PIN and the recorded code number PIN havecoincided with each other (step S28: YES), then as illustrated in FIG.7C a corresponding representative picture image SI is newly displayedwithin the menu screen M. And, in addition, the reproduction listinformation such as the name, production date, etc. of the reproductionlist PL itself is displayed, according to the necessity, by searchingthe interior of that reproduction list PL (step S29). Then, the flowproceeds to the above-described step S42.

Incidentally, in the above-described selection process of thereproduction list. PL, in a case where regarding the representativepicture image SI that is determined as being display-prohibited asillustrated in FIG. 8 no display whatsoever is made (step S40), asillustrated in FIG. 9A the implication icon is left displayed. And, whenin this state that implication icon IC has been selected (step S25), forreleasing that prohibition of the display the CPU 17 prompts, asillustrated in FIG. 9B, the execution of the entry processing for thecode number PIN by displaying the entry field PT on the menu screen M.When correspondingly to this that code number PIN is entered (step S27)and it has coincided with the code number PIN recorded within thegeneral information GM (step S28: YES), as illustrated in FIG. 9C thecorresponding representative picture image SI is newly displayed withinthe menu screen M and, in addition, the implication icon IC is deletedfrom within the menu screen. And, in addition, according to thenecessity, the reproduction list information such as the name,production date, etc. of the reproduction list PL itself is displayed bysearching the interior of that reproduction list (step S29). Then, theflow proceeds to the step S42.

Finally, the concrete operation of the reproduction process forreproducing the real information D, etc. from the optical disc 1, whichis executed in accordance with the recording format illustrated in FIG.1 by the information recording/reproducing apparatus S having theabove-described construction will be explained using FIG. 11.Incidentally, FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the reproductionprocess for the real information D according to the first embodimentwhich is executed mainly according to and from the CPU 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, as the reproduction process, first, thedisplay processing for reproduction list PL (step S60) and the selectionprocessing therefor (step S61) which are the same as those executed inthe editing process illustrated in FIG. 5 are executed.

And, when the display processing and selection processing for thereproduction list PL having the contents that are to be reproduced hasfinished being executed, next, whether the content of the realinformation D that is reproduced according to the selected reproductionlist PL is the one with respect to which reproduction control should beperformed is determined (step S62) by confirming the content of thereproduction control flag PCF within that selected reproduction list PL.When that content is not the one with respect to which reproductioncontrol should be performed (step S62: NO), according to the content ofthis selected reproduction list PL the corresponding real information Dis reproduced, as is, from the optical disc 1 (step S66). Further,whether reproduction up to final real information D that is to bereproduced has finished being performed is confirmed (step S67).

And, when reproduction processing up to the final reproduction list PLhas not finished being executed yet (step S67: NO), the flow returns tothe preceding step S60 so as to select the next reproduction list PLincluding therein the real information D to be reproduced. On the otherhand, when reproduction processing has already finished being executedup to the final reproduction list PL to be reproduced (step S67: YES),the reproduction process according to the first embodiment is ended asis.

On the other hand, when in the determination of the step S62 the contentof the selected reproduction list PL is the one with respect to whichreproduction control should be performed (step S62: YES), next, it isdetermined whether the selected reproduction list PL is the one PL thecorresponding representative picture image of which isdisplay-prohibited (step S63).

And, when that reproduction list PL is the one PL the representativepicture image of which is not determined as being display-prohibited(step S63: NO), the flow proceeds to the step S66 as is. On the otherhand, when that reproduction list PL is the one the representativepicture image of which is determined as being display-prohibited (stepS63: YES), next, for releasing that prohibition of the display, asillustrated in FIG. 7B for example, the field PT for entry thatindicates that the code number PIN which must have been recorded in theoptical disc 1 is to be entered is displayed on the menu screen M tothereby prompt the execution of the entry processing. Whencorrespondingly thereto that code number PIN has been entered (stepS64), collation is made between that entered code number PIN and thecode number PIN recorded in the general information GM region, and it isconfirmed whether those code numbers coincide with each other (stepS65). As a result of this, when the both do not coincide (step S65: NO),it is determined that the user who should not view that representativepicture image is presently executing the edit process. Thereby, the flowreturns to the step S60 to thereby cause the user to select a differentreproduction list PL. On the other hand, when the input code number PINand the recorded code number PIN have coincided with each other (stepS65: YES), then for reproducing the real information D corresponding tothe content of the reproduction list PL the flow proceeds to theabove-described steps S66 and S67, thereby the CPU 17 terminates thereproduction process according to the first embodiment.

As has been explained above, according to the operation of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment, bylimiting (prohibiting) the display of the representative picture imageaccording to the reproduction list display prohibition flat PHF that isrecorded, it is possible to control the display of the representativepicture image according to the content of the reproduction list PL.Therefore, it is possible to prevent the content of the real informationD corresponding to the reproduction list PL from being inadvertentlyrecognized by the user as a result of the inadvertent presentation ofthe representative picture image to the user.

Also, since the representative picture image is displayed beforestarting the reproduction process for the real information Dcorresponding to the reproduction list PL, by limiting the display ofthe representative picture image according to the reproduction listdisplay prohibition flag PHF that is recorded it is possible to controlthe display of the representative picture image that precedes thereproduction process for the real information D corresponding to thereproduction list PL.

(II) Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment that is another embodiment according to thepresent invention will be explained using FIGS. 12 to 15.

Although in the above-described first embodiment the code number PIN hasbeen recorded, within the general information GM, as the code numberthat is common to every item of the real information D and every pieceof the reproduction lists PL, in the second embodiment that will beexplained below a specific code number is set every reproduction listPL.

Incidentally, in FIGS. 12 to 15 that will be explained below, the samemembers as those in the corresponding figures used in the firstembodiment are denoted by the same member numerals and the explanationof the detail thereof will be omitted.

Also, since the construction of the information recording/reproducingapparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S according to the firstembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the explanation of the detail will beomitted.

(A) Embodiment of the Recording Format

Initially, before concretely explaining the construction, etc. of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus according to the secondembodiment, the recording format used when recording information withrespect to the optical disc 1 by the information recording/reproducingapparatus according to the second embodiment will be explained usingFIG. 12. Incidentally, FIG. 12 is a view illustrating the recordingformat (physical format) of the respective information according to thesecond embodiment.

As stated above, since in the recording format of the second embodimenta specific code number is set correspondingly to each reproduction listPL, that code number is recorded not within the general information GMbut within the respective reproduction list PL.

Namely, as illustrated in FIG. 12, in the recording format according tothe second embodiment, the general information GM is constructed of onlythe user interface information UI, reproduction lists number informationNPL, and etceteras information ETG that are the same as thoseillustrated in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the respective reproductionlist PL region has recorded therein a code number PPN different everyreproduction list PL in addition to the reproduction control flag PCF,reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF, for-use-as-menurepresentative picture image information SN, name information NM, gistinformation GL, and etcetera information ETP that are the same as thoseillustrated in FIG. 1.

Incidentally, the other construction of the recording format of thesecond embodiment is the same as the corresponding that of the recordingformat of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and therefore theexplanation of the detail thereof will be omitted.

(B) Embodiment of the Construction and Operation of the InformationRecording/Reproducing Apparatus

Next, the operation of the information recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention will beexplained using FIGS. 13 to 15.

First, the recording process for the real information D according to thesecond embodiment will be explained using FIG. 13.

Incidentally, FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating this recordingprocess. Also, in FIG. 13, the same processing operations as those inthe recording process in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 aredenoted by the same step numbers, and the explanation of the detail ofthat will be omitted.

In the recording process of the second embodiment, first, the processingoperations in the steps S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S7, and S9 are executed,thereby the recording processing of necessary real information D and theproduction/recording processing of necessary reproduction list PL andattribute information CI are executed. At this time, the operations ofprocessing (steps S6 and S8) regarding the code number PIN within thegeneral information. GM such as those executed in the case of the firstembodiment are not executed. Also, it results that the code number thatis entered in the step S7 is the code number PPN that corresponds toonly the reproduction list PL that has become an object with respect towhich that code number should at that time be entered.

And, when, in the determination of the step S9, the display of therepresentative picture image is determined as being not the one whichshould be prohibited (step S9: NO), the content of the reproductioncontrol flag PCF that should be included under the correspondingreproduction list PL is set to “1” according to the determination in thestep S5, the content of the reproduction list display prohibition flagPHF that should similarly be included thereunder is set to “0”, and, inaddition, the above-described code number PPN (that is already enteredin the step S7) that corresponds to only the reproduction list PL is set(step S31).

On the other hand, when the display of the representative picture imageis the one which should be prohibited (step S9: YES), the content of thereproduction control flag PCF that should be included under thecorresponding reproduction list PL is set to “1” according to thedetermination in the step S5, the content of the reproduction listdisplay prohibition flag PHF that should similarly be includedthereunder is set to “1”, and, in addition, the above-described codenumber PPN that corresponds to only the reproduction list PL is set(step S30).

And, at the point in time when the content of the reproduction controlflag PCF, the content of the reproduction list display prohibition flagPHF, and the code number have respectively finished being set (steps S30and S31), there is rewritten (step S11) the content of the correspondingreproduction list PL that was theretofore recorded (step S4), therebythe series of operations for the recording process is terminated.

Next, the editing process for the real information D, etc. according tothe second embodiment will be explained using FIG. 14. Incidentally,this editing process includes processing for producing a new virtualreproduction list VPL, processing for adding/recording new realinformation D, processing for changing the content of an existingvirtual reproduction list VPL, processing for deleting part of existingreal information D from the optical disc 1, etc.

Also, FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating this editing process. Here,in FIG. 14, regarding the processing operations that are the same asthose executed in the editing process of the first embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5, they are denoted by the same step numbers and theexplanation of the detail of those is omitted.

In the editing process of the second embodiment, first, the processingoperations in the steps S40 to S48 illustrated in FIG. 5 are executed,thereby necessary editing processing operations with respect to thedesired reproduction list PL are executed.

And, when, in the determination in the step S48, the content of the realinformation D that is to be reproduced according to the post-editreproduction list PL is not the one with respect to which reproductioncontrol should be performed (step S48: NO), the reproduction controlflag PCF in the newly produced reproduction list PL is set to “0” andsimultaneously the reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF is setto “0” (step S49), and, further, setting of the corresponding codenumber PPN is not performed (step S35). Then, the flow proceeds to theprocessing of a step S56 as later described.

On the other hand, when the content of the real information D that is tobe reproduced according to the post-edit reproduction list PL is the onewhich should be reproduction-controlled (step S48: YES), next, thedisplay indicating that the code number PPN corresponding to only thepost-edit reproduction list PL should be entered is made, for example,on the display not illustrated, etc., to thereby prompt the execution ofthat entry processing. When correspondingly thereto a new code numberPPN has been entered (step S51), next, whether the display of therepresentative picture image corresponding to the produced (step S46)reproduction list PL is the one which should be prohibited in therelevant menu screen is confirmed (step S53) according to the content ofthe operation in the operation part 20. And when that display of therepresentative picture image is not the one which should be prohibited(step S53: NO), the content of the reproduction control flag PCF thatshould be included under the corresponding reproduction (play) list PLis set to “1” according to the determination in the step S48 and,simultaneously, the content of the reproduction list display prohibitionflag PHF that should similarly be included thereunder is set to “0” and,further, the code number PPN corresponding to only the reproduction listPL alone is set (step S37).

On the other hand, when the display of that representative image is theone which should be prohibited (step S53: YES), the content of thereproduction control flag PCF that should be included under thecorresponding reproduction (play) list PL is set to “1” according to thedetermination in the step S48 and, simultaneously, the content of thereproduction list display prohibition flag PHF that should similarly beincluded thereunder is set to “1”, and, further, the code number PPNcorresponding to only the reproduction list PL alone is set (step S36).

And, at the point in time when setting the content of the reproductioncontrol flag PCF and the content of the reproduction list displayprohibition flag PHF and the code number PPN has respectively finishedbeing performed (steps S35, S36 and S37) the content of thecorresponding reproduction list PL that was recorded (step S46) isrewritten (step S56), thereby the series of processing operations forthe editing process are terminated.

Next, the detail of the selection processing (step S41) of thereproduction list PL in the above-described editing process according tothe second embodiment will be explained using FIG. 15. Incidentally,FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the selection process of thereproduction list according to the second embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, in the selection process of the reproductionlist PL that is executed in the above-described step S41, first, whenthe menu screen M illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed by the execution ofthe above-described step S40, next, it is confirmed (step S70) whetherthe operation for displaying the representative picture image SI that isdetermined (displayed) as being non-displayed on that menu screen M(FIG. 7A or 9A) has been performed in the operation part 20.

And, when that operation has not been done yet (step S70: NO), theselection of the reproduction list. PL is performed using therepresentative picture image that is now being displayed (step S77),then the flow proceeds to step S42 of FIG. 14.

On the other hand, when the operation for displaying the representativepicture image that is determined as being non-displayed has beenoperated (step S70: YES), next, for releasing the prohibition of thatdisplay, as illustrated in FIG. 7B or FIG. 9B, a field PT for entry thatindicates that the code number PPN which must have been recorded everyreproduction list PL is to be entered is displayed on the menu screen Mto thereby prompt the execution of the entry processing. When the codenumber PIN corresponding to that has been entered (step S71), collationis made between that entered code number PPN and the code number PPNrecorded in the corresponding reproduction list PL, and it is confirmedwhether those code numbers coincide with each other (step S73). As aresult of this, when the both do not coincide (step S73: NO), it isdetermined that the user who should not view that representative pictureimage is now executing the editing process. And, the flow proceeds tostep S75 as is. On the other hand, when the input code number PPN andthe recorded code number PPN have coincided with each other (step S73:YES), then as illustrated in FIG. 7C or FIG. 9C a correspondingrepresentative picture image SI is newly displayed within the menuscreen M. In addition, the reproduction list information such as thename, production date, etc. of the reproduction list, itself, PL isdisplayed, according to the necessity, by searching the interior of thatreproduction list PL (step S74).

And, it is confirmed, regarding all representative picture images SIthat are now being displayed in the menu screen M, whether theprocessing operations in the steps S72 to S74 have been executed (step.S75). When the processing about all the representative picture imageshas not finished being executed (step S75: NO), the flow again returnsto step S72, thereby the above-described steps of processing about theremaining representative picture images SI are repeated. On the otherhand, when the processing about all the representative picture images SIhas finished being executed (step S75: YES), next, it is confirmedwhether another code number PPN is to be entered (step S76).

As a result of this, when another code number PPN is entered (step S76:YES), regarding that entered new code number PPN the processingoperations in the steps S71 to S75 are repeated.

On the other hand, when no other code number PPN is input (step S76:NO), the selection processing of the reproduction list PL is executedusing the representative picture image SI that is now being displayed inthe menu screen M, as is, (step S77), thereafter the flow proceeds tothe above-described step S42 of FIG. 14.

Incidentally, since the display process of the reproduction list PL andthe reproduction process of the real information D, based on the use ofthe reproduction list PL, in the information recording/reproducingapparatus of the second embodiment are the same as those in the caseillustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9 and FIG. 11 in the first embodiment, theexplanation of that detail is omitted.

With the above-explained information recording/reproducing apparatus ofthe second embodiment as well, the effect the same as that attainable inthe case of the first embodiment is brought about.

(III) Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment that is another embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained using FIGS. 16 to 22.

Although in the above-described first and second embodiments anexplanation has been given of the case where the reproduction controlflag PCF and reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF are disposedin the respectively separate zones, the third and fourth embodimentsthat will be explained below are each the embodiment in the case whereonly the reproduction control flag PCF is used in the way of being usedconcurrently as each of those two flags.

Incidentally, in the FIGS. 16 to 22 that will be explained below, thesame members in their corresponding figures that were used in theexplanation about the first embodiment are denoted by the same membernumerals with their detailed explanation being omitted.

Also, since the construction of the information recording/reproducingapparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S according to the firstembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the explanation of that detail isomitted.

(A) Embodiment of the Recording Format

Initially, before concretely explaining the construction, etc. of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus according to the thirdembodiment, the recording format that is used when recording informationwith respect to the optical disc 1 by the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment willbe explained using FIG. 16. Incidentally, FIG. 16 is a view illustratingthe recording format (physical format) of the respective informationaccording to the third embodiment.

As described above, in the recording format of the third embodiment, thereproduction control flag PCF is also made to have the meaning as thatof the reproduction list display prohibition flag PHF, and therefore inthe recording format in the third embodiment the reproduction listdisplay prohibition flag PHF does not exist.

Namely, as illustrated in FIG. 16, in the recording format in the thirdembodiment, as the respective reproduction list PL, in addition to thefor-use-as-menu representative picture image SN, name information NM,gist information GL, and etceteras information ETP, a reproductioncontrol flag PCF′ having the meaning as that of the reproduction listdisplay prohibition flag PHF, as well, is recorded.

At this time, as the contents of the reproduction control flag PCF′, inmore detail, when the content of the real information D that is to bereproduced according to the reproduction list PL included under thereproduction control flag PCF′ is the one which should bereproduction-controlled, the reproduction control flag PCF′ is set to“1” by simultaneously making a determination of that the display of thereproduction list, itself, PL under which the reproduction control flagPCF′ is included should also be prohibited in the menu screen M, while,when that real information D is not the one which should bereproduction-controlled, the reproduction control flag PCF′ is set to“0” by simultaneously making a determination of that the display of thereproduction list, itself, PL should not be prohibited in the menuscreen M.

Incidentally, since the other construction of the recording formataccording to the third embodiment is the same as that of the recordingformat of the first embodiment, the explanation of that detail isomitted.

(B) Embodiment of the Construction and Operation of the InformationRecording/Reproducing Apparatus

Next, the operation of the information recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to the third embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 17 to22.

First of all, the recording process of the real information D, etc.according to the third embodiment will be explained using FIG. 17.

Incidentally, FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating: the recordingprocess. Also, in FIG. 17, the same operations of processing as those inthe recording process of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 aredenoted by the same step numerals with their detailed explanation beingomitted.

In the recording process of the third embodiment, first, the processingoperations in the steps S1 to S8 illustrated in FIG. 4 are executed,whereby, recording processing of necessary real information SIproduction/recording processing of necessary reproduction list PL andattribute information CI, and recording processing of the code numberPIN that is common to the optical disc 1 as a whole are executed. Atthis time, the processing regarding the reproduction list displayprohibition flag PHF, such as that (step S9) executed in the firstembodiment, is not executed.

And, when in the determination of the step S6 the code number PIN isalready recorded (step S6: YES), next, for limiting the reproductionprocessing of the real information D based on the use of the produced(step S4) reproduction list PL the content of the correspondingreproduction limit flag PCF is set to “1” (step S80) and, further, thecontent of the corresponding reproduction list PL that was alreadyrecorded (step S4) at that point in time is rewritten (step S11). Then,the series of recording processing operations are terminated.

Next, the concrete operation of the editing process for the realinformation D, etc. which is executed in accordance with the recordingformat illustrated in FIG. 16 through the operation of theabove-constructed information recording/reproducing apparatus will beexplained using FIG. 18. Incidentally, FIG. 18 is a flow chartillustrating the editing process for the real information D according tothe third embodiment that is executed mainly according to and from theCPU 17. The same steps of processing as those executed in the editingprocess according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 aredenoted by the same step numbers and the explanation of their detail isomitted.

In the editing process, initially, while it is having executed withrespect thereto control processing such as prohibition of the displaythrough the execution of the processing operations as later described indetail, the representative picture image corresponding to the respectivereproduction list PL recorded in the optical disc 1 is displayed on thedisplay not illustrated (step S40) and, by selecting the desired onefrom among those representative picture image that are displayed,selection of the reproduction list PL that is to be edited is made (stepS41).

When the reproduction list PL is selected, then, next, the sameprocessing operations as those in the steps S46 to S48 and steps S50 toS52 illustrated in FIG. 5 are executed.

At this time, when, in the determination of the step S48, the content ofthe real information D that is to be reproduced according to thepost-edit reproduction list PL is not the one with respect to whichreproduction control should be performed (step S48: NO), only theprocessing alone of setting the reproduction control flag PCF in thatnewly produced reproduction list PL to “0” is executed (step S85), thenthe flow proceeds to the processing in the step S56 illustrated in FIG.5.

Also, when, in the determination of the step S50, the code number PIN isalready recorded (step S50: YES), next, only the processing, alone, ofsetting the content of the reproduction control flag PCF′, which shouldbe included under the corresponding reproduction list PL, to “1” isexecuted according to the determination in the step S48 (step S86).

And, the content of the corresponding reproduction list PL that wasalready recorded (step S56) at the point in time when setting of thecontent of the reproduction control flag PCF′ has finished being done(steps S85 and S86) is rewritten (step S56), thereafter the series ofediting processing operations are terminated.

Next, the detail of the display process (step S40) for therepresentative picture image corresponding to the reproduction list PLin the above-described editing process will be explained using FIG. 19.

Incidentally, FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating the display processfor the reproduction list according to the third embodiment and the sameoperations of processing as those executed in the display processaccording to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 are denoted bythe same step numbers and the explanation of their detail is omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, in the display process for the representativepicture image in the step S40, first, the same steps of processingoperations as those in the steps S15 and S16 illustrated in FIG. 6 areexecuted.

And, whether, regarding each of the real information D corresponding tothe respective reproduction list PL that has been detected in step S16,the reproduction processing of that real information D is limited isdetermined by confirming the content of the reproduction control flagPCF′ in that respective reproduction list PL (step S81).

And, when the corresponding real information D is the one with respectto which reproduction limitation is not done (step S81: NO), the samesteps of processing as those in the steps S19 and S20 illustrated inFIG. 6 are executed, then the flow proceeds to the step S41 of FIG. 18.

On the other hand, when that corresponding real information D is the onewith respect to which reproduction limitation should be performed (stepS81: YES), the same operations of processing as those in the steps S18and S20 illustrated in FIG. 6 are executed, then the flow proceeds tothe step S41 of FIG. 18.

Incidentally, although, in the display process illustrated in FIG. 19,regarding the representative picture image the display of which isprohibited measure has been taken of displaying, in place of that image,the for-non-display image SSI illustrated in FIG. 7A, other than thisthe following measure may also be taken. Namely, as illustrated in FIG.20, regarding the reproduction list PL the corresponding representativepicture image to which is display-prohibited, any image is not displayedat all at that corresponding position (see FIG. 8A) and only therepresentative picture image the display of which is permitted isdisplayed (step S19).

Next, the detail of the selection processing (step S41) for thereproduction list PL in the above-described editing process will beexplained using FIG. 21. Incidentally, FIG. 21 is a flow chartillustrating the selection process for the reproduction list accordingto the third embodiment and the same operations of processing as thoseexecuted in the selection process according to the first embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers and theexplanation of their detail is omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, in the selection processing for reproductionlist PL in the step S41, first, when the menu screen M illustrated inFIG. 7 is displayed through the execution of the step 40 processing,next, the processing of selecting the reproduction list PL therepresentative picture image of which is displayed in the menu screen Mis executed in the operation part 20 (step S25). Next, regarding thereal information D corresponding to the thus-selected reproduction listPL, whether the reproduction processing of that is limited is determined(step S82) by confirming the content of the reproduction control flagPCF′ in the reproduction list PL.

And, in a case where that reproduction list PL is the one with respectto which reproduction processing is not limited (step S82: NO), the flowproceeds to the step S42 as is, whereas, in a case where thatreproduction list PL is the one with respect to which reproductionprocessing is limited (step S82: YES), next, the same operations ofprocessing as those executed in the steps S27 to S29 illustrated in FIG.10 are executed, then the flow proceeds to the step S42.

Finally, the concrete operation of the reproduction process for the realinformation D, etc. which is executed from the optical disc 1 inaccordance with the recording format illustrated in FIG. 16 through theoperation of the above-constructed information recording/reproducingapparatus will be explained using FIG. 22. Incidentally, FIG. 22 is aflow chart illustrating the reproduction process for the realinformation D according to the third embodiment that is executed mainlyaccording 15, to and from the CPU 17. The same operations of processingas those executed in the reproduction process according to the firstembodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same step numbersand the explanation of their detail is omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, as the reproduction process, first, thedisplay process (step S60) for reproduction list PL and the selectionprocess (step S61) therefor that are the same as those in the editingprocess illustrated in FIG. 18 are executed.

Here, in a case where, as in the third embodiment, a setting is made ofthat when the reproduction list PL is the one which should bereproduction-limited the corresponding representative picture image issimultaneously not displayed either, there can occur no state where inthat step S61 the code number PIN is entered and, on the other hand, thereproduction limitation is still made although that representativepicture image is not displayed, and, therefore, after selecting thatreproduction list PL (step S61), the reproduction processing of thecorresponding real information D from the optical disc 1 is immediatelyexecuted (step S66).

And, further, whether reproduction up to the final real information Dthat is to be reproduced has finished being performed is confirmed (stepS67).

And, when reproduction process up to the final reproduction list PL hasnot finished being performed (step S67: NO), the flow returns to thestep S60 so as to select the reproduction list PL that includes the realinformation D that is to be reproduced next. On the other hand, whenreproduction process up to the final reproduction list PL that is to bereproduced has already finished being performed (step 67: YES), the CPU17 terminates the reproduction process according to the first embodimentas is.

As described above, according to the operation of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment, sincethe reproduction control flag PCF′ has two ways of meaning one of whichrepresents whether prohibiting the display of the representative pictureimage and the other of which represents whether limiting thereproduction processing, itself, of the real information D correspondingto the re production list PL, in addition to the effect resulting fromthe operation of the information recording/reproducing apparatus Saccording to the first embodiment the effect of enabling preventing thecontent of the real information D corresponding to the reproduction listPL from being inadvertently recognized by the user is also brought aboutby limiting the display of the representative picture image, and alsolimiting the reproduction processing of the real information Dcorresponding to the reproduction list PL, according to thatreproduction control flag PCF′.

(IV) Fourth Embodiment

Finally, a fourth embodiment which is another embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained using FIGS. 23 to 25.

Although in the above-described third embodiment the code number PIN isrecorded within the general information GM as being common to all thereal information D, or reproduction lists PL, that are recorded in theoptical disc 1, in the fourth embodiment explained below a specific codenumber is set every reproduction list PL. Further, the reproductioncontrol flag PCF′ according to the fourth embodiment also has two waysof meaning the same as those in the case of the third embodiment.

Incidentally, in FIGS. 23 to 25 explained below, the same members asthose in the corresponding figures that were used in the explanation inconnection with the first or third embodiment are denoted by the samereference symbols, and the explanation of their detail is omitted.

Also, since the construction of the information recording/reproducingapparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus S according to the firstembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the explanation of that detail isomitted.

(A) Embodiment of the Recording Format

Initially, before concretely explaining the construction, etc. of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus according to the fourthembodiment, the recording format that is used when recording informationwith respect to the optical disc 1 by using the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment willbe explained using FIG. 23. Incidentally, FIG. 23 is a view illustratingthe recording format (physical format) for the respective informationaccording to the fourth embodiment.

Since, as described above, in the recording format of the fourthembodiment, a specific code number is recorded in correspondingrelationship to each of the respective reproduction lists, that codenumber is recorded not within the general information GM region butwithin the respective reproduction list PL region.

Namely, as illustrated in FIG. 23, in the recording format according tothe fourth embodiment, the general information GM is constructed of onlythe user interface information UI, reproduction lists number informationNPL, and etceteras information ETG, alone, which are the same as thoseillustrated in FIG. 16. On the other hand, the respective reproductionlist PL has recorded therein a code number PPN different for eachreproduction list PL in addition to the reproduction control flag PCF′,for-use-as-menu representative picture image SN, name information NM,gist information GL, and etceteras information ETP which are the same asthose illustrated in FIG. 16.

Incidentally, since the other construction of the recording format inthe fourth embodiment is the same as that of the recording format in thethird embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the explanation of that detailis omitted.

(B) Embodiment of the Construction and Operation of the InformationRecording/Reproducing Apparatus

Next, the operation of the information recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to the fourth embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 24 and25.

First, the recording process for the real information D, etc. accordingto the fourth embodiment will be explained using FIG. 24.

Incidentally, FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating that recordingprocess, and the same operations of processing as those in the recordingprocess according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 aredenoted by the same step numbers and the explanation of those details isomitted.

In the recording process of the fourth embodiment, first, the processingoperations in the steps S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S7 are executed, therebythe recording processing of necessary real information D and theproduction/recording processing of necessary reproduction list PL andattribute information CI are executed. At this time, the processingoperations (steps S6 and S8) regarding the code number PIN within thegeneral information GM such as those executed in the case of the thirdembodiment are not executed. Also, it results that the code number thatis entered in the step S7 is the code number PPN that corresponds toonly the reproduction list PL, alone, that has become an object withrespect to which that code number should at that time be entered.

And, when the entry of the code number PPN has finished being done, thecontent of the reproduction control flag PCF′ that should be includedunder the corresponding reproduction list PL is set to “1” according tothe determination in the step S5, and, in addition, the above-describedcode number PPN (that is already entered in the step S7) thatcorresponds to only the reproduction list PL alone is set (step S90).

And, at the point in time when the content of the reproduction controlflag PCF, and the code number PPN, have respectively finished being set(step S90), there is rewritten (step S11) the content of thecorresponding reproduction list PL that was theretofore recorded (stepS4), thereby the series of recording processing operations areterminated.

Next, the editing process for the real information D, etc. according tothe fourth embodiment will be explained using FIG. 25. Incidentally,this editing process includes processing for producing a new virtualreproduction list VPL, processing for adding/recording new realinformation D, processing for changing the content of an existingvirtual reproduction list VPL, processing for deleting part of existingreal information D from the optical disc 1, etc.

Also, FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating this editing process.Regarding the processing operations that are the same as those executedin the editing process of the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18,they are denoted by the same step numbers and the explanation of thedetail of those is omitted.

In the editing process of the fourth embodiment, first, the processingoperations in the steps S40 and S41 and S46 to S48 illustrated in FIG.18 are executed, thereby necessary editing processing operations withrespect to the desired reproduction list PL are executed.

And, when, in the determination in the step S48, the content of the realinformation D that is to be reproduced according to the post-editreproduction list PL is not the one with respect to which reproductioncontrol should be performed (step. S48: NO), the reproduction controlflag PCF in the newly produced reproduction list PL is set to “0” and,further, setting of the corresponding code number PPN is not performed(step S91). Then, the flow proceeds to the processing of the step S56 aslater described.

On the other hand, when the content of the real information D that is tobe reproduced according to the post-edit reproduction list PL is not theone which should be reproduction-controlled (step S48: YES), next, thedisplay indicating that the code number PPN corresponding to only thepost-edit reproduction list PL should be entered is made, for example,on the display not illustrated, etc., to thereby prompt the execution ofthat entry processing. When correspondingly thereto a new code numberPPN has been entered (step S51), next, the content of the reproductioncontrol flag PCF that should be included under the reproduction (play)list PL that was produced (step S46) is set to “1” according to thedetermination in the step S48 and; simultaneously, the code number PPNcorresponding to only the reproduction list PL alone is set (step S92).

And, at the point in time when setting the content of the reproductioncontrol flag PCF and the code number PPN has respectively finished beingperformed (steps S91 and S92), the content of the correspondingreproduction list PL that was theretofore recorded (step S46) isrewritten (step S56), thereby the series of editing processingoperations are terminated.

Incidentally, since the display process for reproduction list PL,selection process therefor, and reproduction process for the realinformation D based on the use of the reproduction list PL, which areexecuted in the information recording/reproducing apparatus according tothe fourth embodiment, are the same as those in the case of the thirdembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 22, the explanation of thosedetails is omitted.

With the above-explained information recording/reproducing apparatus ofthe fourth embodiment, as well, the same effect as that attainable inthe case of the third embodiment can be brought about.

Incidentally, although in each of the above-described respectiveembodiments not only the representative picture image SI but also thename, production time and date, etc. of the reproduction list, itself,PL have been illustrated as the things indicating the reproduction listPL that is displayed on the menu screen M, other than this there may bealso included as such things letter information indicating the gist ofthe content of the real information D that is reproduced according tothe reproduction list PL.

Further, although in each of the above-described respective embodimentsan explanation has been given of the case where the data area DA existsonly one piece within the optical disc 1, other than this it is alsopossible to construct in the way in which a plurality of different dataareas are provided and, for each data area, the real information D isrecorded separately and independently from that in another. And, in thiscase, in the first and third embodiment, for each data area, it is alsopossible to construct in the way in which, regarding only the realinformation D, etc., alone, within that data area, a common code numberPIN is set.

Further, by keeping stored in an information recording medium such as aflexible disc the programs corresponding to the above-describedrespective flow charts, or keeping them distributed via the network suchas the Internet, and reading them out and executing them by a generalmicrocomputer, or the like, this general microcomputer, or the like canalso be made to function as the CPU 17 according to the respectiveembodiment of the present invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-374947filed on Dec. 7, 2001 including the specification, claims, drawings andsummary is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. An information recording apparatus comprising: agenerating device that generates a reproduction list for controlling amanner of reproduction that is executed when reproducing reproductioninformation; a recording device that records the reproductioninformation, the generated reproduction list, presentation controlinformation, and canceling information, wherein the presentation controlinformation at least indicates whether or not a presentation of contentinformation indicating contents of the reproduction information islimited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a limitation of the presentation of the content informationduring an execution of the limitation.
 17. An information recordingapparatus according to claim 16, wherein the limitation of thepresentation of the content information is prohibition of thepresentation of the content information.
 18. An information recordingapparatus according to claim 17, wherein the canceling information is apersonal identification number.
 19. An information recording apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein the presentation control information atleast indicates whether or not a display of a representative pictureimage representing contents of the reproduction information isprohibited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a limitation of the display of the representative pictureimage during an execution of the prohibition.
 20. An informationrecording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the cancelinginformation is a personal identification number.
 21. An informationrecording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the presentationcontrol information at least indicates whether or not a display of nameinformation indicating a name of the reproduction information isprohibited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a limitation of the display of the name information during anexecution of the prohibition.
 22. An information recording apparatusaccording to claim 21, wherein the canceling information is a personalidentification number.
 23. An information recording apparatus accordingto claim 16, wherein the canceling information is a personalidentification number.
 24. An information reproducing apparatus forreproducing reproduction information from a recording medium in which areproduction list, presentation control information and cancelinginformation are recorded, wherein the reproduction list is a list forcontrolling a manner of reproduction that is executed when reproducingthe reproduction information; the presentation control information atleast indicates whether or not a presentation of content informationindicating contents of the reproduction information is limited; and thecanceling information is information for use in canceling a limitationof the presentation of the content information during an execution ofthe limitation, wherein the information reproducing apparatus comprises:an input device for inputting canceling information; a canceling devicethat cancels the limitation of the presentation in a case where theinputted canceling information matches the canceling informationrecorded in the recording medium.
 25. An information reproducingapparatus according to claim 24, wherein the limitation of thepresentation of the content information is prohibition of thepresentation of the content information.
 26. An information reproducingapparatus according to claim 25, wherein the canceling information is apersonal identification number.
 27. An information reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 24, wherein the presentation control information atleast indicates whether or not a display of a representative pictureimage representing contents of the reproduction information isprohibited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a prohibition of the display of the representative pictureimage during an execution of the prohibition, and the canceling devicecancels the prohibition of the display in a case where the inputtedcanceling information matches the canceling information recorded in therecording medium.
 28. An information reproducing apparatus according toclaim 27, wherein the canceling information is a personal identificationnumber.
 29. An information reproducing apparatus according to claim 24,wherein the presentation control information at least indicates whetheror not a display of name information indicating a name of thereproduction information is prohibited; and the canceling information isinformation for use in canceling a prohibition of the display of thename information during an execution of the prohibition, a cancelingdevice cancels the prohibition of the display in a case where theinputted canceling information matches the canceling informationrecorded in the recording medium.
 30. An information reproducingapparatus according to claim 29, wherein the canceling information is apersonal identification number.
 31. An information reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 24, wherein the canceling information is a personalidentification number.
 32. A recording medium comprising: a reproductioninformation recording area in which reproduction information isrecorded; a reproduction list recording area in which a reproductionlist is recorded, the reproduction list being for controlling a mannerof reproduction that is executed when reproducing the reproductioninformation; a presentation control information recording area in whichpresentation control information is recorded, the presentation controlinformation at least indicating whether or not a presentation of contentinformation indicating contents of the reproduction information islimited; and a canceling information recording area in which cancelinginformation is recorded, the canceling information being for use incanceling a limitation of the presentation of the content informationduring an execution of the limitation.
 33. A recording medium accordingto claim 32, wherein the limitation of the presentation of the contentinformation is prohibition of the presentation of the contentinformation.
 34. A recording medium apparatus according to claim 33,wherein the canceling information is a personal identification number.35. A recording medium according to claim 32, wherein the presentationcontrol information at least indicates whether or not a display of arepresentative picture image representing contents of the reproductioninformation is prohibited; and the canceling information is for use incanceling a limitation of the display of the representative pictureimage during an execution of the prohibition.
 36. A recording mediumapparatus according to claim 35, wherein the canceling information is apersonal identification number.
 37. A recording medium according toclaim 32, wherein the presentation control information at leastindicates whether or not a display of name information indicating a nameof the reproduction information is prohibited; and the cancelinginformation is for use in canceling a limitation of the display of thename information during an execution of the prohibition.
 38. A recordingmedium apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the cancelinginformation is a personal identification number.
 39. A recording mediumapparatus according to claim 32, wherein the canceling information is apersonal identification number.
 40. An information recording methodcomprising: a generating process for generating a reproduction list forcontrolling a manner of reproduction that is executed when reproducingreproduction information; a recording process for recording thereproduction information, the generated reproduction list, presentationcontrol information, and canceling information, wherein the presentationcontrol information at least indicates whether or not a presentation ofcontent information indicating contents of the reproduction informationis limited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a limitation of the presentation of the content informationduring an execution of the limitation.
 41. An information recordingmethod according to claim 40, wherein the presentation controlinformation at least indicates whether or not a display of arepresentative picture image representing contents of the reproductioninformation is prohibited; and the canceling information is informationfor use in canceling a limitation of the display of the representativepicture image during an execution of the prohibition.
 42. An informationrecording method according to claim 41, wherein the cancelinginformation is a personal identification number.
 43. An informationrecording method according to claim 40, wherein the presentation controlinformation at least indicates whether or not a display of nameinformation indicating a name of the reproduction information isprohibited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a limitation of the display of the name information during anexecution of the prohibition.
 44. An information recording methodaccording to claim 43, wherein the canceling information is a personalidentification number.
 45. An information recording method according toclaim 40, wherein the canceling information is a personal identificationnumber.
 46. An information recording method according to claim 40, themethod further comprises: a reproduction information recording processfor recording reproduction information into a recording medium; areproduction list recording process for recording a reproduction listfor controlling a manner of reproduction that is executed whenreproducing the reproduction information, the reproduction listincluding presentation control information that at least indicateswhether or not a presentation of content information indicating contentsof the reproduction information is limited; and a code recording processfor recording a code for use in canceling a limitation of thepresentation of the content information during an execution of thelimitation wherein the code is a personal identification number.
 47. Aninformation reproducing method for reproducing reproduction informationfrom a recording medium in which a reproduction list, presentationcontrol information and canceling information are recorded, wherein thereproduction list is a list for controlling a manner of reproductionthat is executed when reproducing the reproduction information; thepresentation control information at least indicates whether or not apresentation of content information indicating contents of thereproduction information is limited; and the canceling information isinformation for use in canceling a limitation of the presentation of thecontent information during an execution of the limitation, wherein theinformation reproducing method comprises: an input process for inputtingcanceling information; a canceling process for canceling the limitationof the presentation in a case where the inputted canceling informationmatches the canceling information recorded in the recording medium. 48.An information reproducing method according to claim 47, wherein thepresentation control information at least indicates whether or not adisplay of a representative picture image representing contents of thereproduction information is prohibited; and the canceling information isinformation for use in canceling a prohibition of the display of therepresentative picture image during an execution of the prohibition, anda canceling process cancels the prohibition of the display in a casewhere the inputted canceling information matches the cancelinginformation recorded in the recording medium.
 49. An informationreproducing method according to claim 48, wherein the cancelinginformation is a personal identification number.
 50. An informationreproducing process according to claim 48, wherein the presentationcontrol information at least indicates whether or not a display of nameinformation indicating a name of the reproduction information isprohibited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a prohibition of the display of the representative pictureimage during an execution of the prohibition, a canceling processcancels the prohibition of the display in a case where the inputtedcanceling information matches the canceling information recorded in therecording medium.
 51. An information reproducing method according toclaim 50, wherein the canceling information is a personal identificationnumber.
 52. An information reproducing method according to claim 47,wherein the canceling information is a personal identification number.53. An information reproducing method according to claim 47, in therecording medium, a code is further recorded, wherein and the code isused for canceling a limitation of the presentation of the contentinformation during an execution of the limitation, the canceling processcancels the limitation of the presentation in a case where the inputtedcode matches the code recorded in the recording medium, wherein the codeis a personal identification number.
 54. An information recording mediumin which a recording program for recording reproduction information in arecording medium is recorded so that the recording program can be readby a computer, the recording program causing the computer to functionto: generate a reproduction list for controlling a manner ofreproduction that is executed when reproducing reproduction information;record the reproduction information, the generated reproduction list,presentation control information, and canceling information, wherein thepresentation control information at least indicates whether or not apresentation of content information indicating contents of thereproduction information is limited; and the canceling information isinformation for use in canceling a limitation of the presentation of thecontent information during an execution of the limitation.
 55. Aninformation recording medium in which a reproducing program is recordedso that the program can be read by a computer, the reproducing programbeing for reproducing reproduction information from a recording mediumin which a reproduction list, presentation control information andcanceling information are recorded, wherein the reproduction list is alist for controlling a manner of reproduction that is executed whenreproducing the reproduction information; the presentation controlinformation at least indicates whether or not a presentation of contentinformation indicating contents of the reproduction information islimited; and the canceling information is information for use incanceling a limitation of the presentation of the content informationduring an execution of the limitation, the reproducing program causingthe computer to function to: input canceling information; cancel thelimitation of the presentation in a case where the inputted cancelinginformation matches the canceling information recorded in the recordingmedium.